MLB News

With Trout out, Betts to start All-Star Game

By
Dave SessionsSpecial MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts will start for the American League in the 88th All-Star Game presented by Mastercard in place of the injured Mike Trout.

Betts, who had the fourth-most votes among AL outfielders, is batting .285 with an AL-leading 28 doubles along with 15 homers and 51 RBIs. Betts was an All-Star for the first time last season, when he finished second to Trout in AL MVP Award voting.

ARLINGTON -- Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts will start for the American League in the 88th All-Star Game presented by Mastercard in place of the injured Mike Trout.

Betts, who had the fourth-most votes among AL outfielders, is batting .285 with an AL-leading 28 doubles along with 15 homers and 51 RBIs. Betts was an All-Star for the first time last season, when he finished second to Trout in AL MVP Award voting.

"It's pretty cool, but I can't focus on that right now," said Betts. "I've got to play these last couple games and we'll cross that bridge when the time comes."

It's understandable that Betts isn't thinking about taking a break yet considering his recent success. Betts was named AL Player of the Week earlier Monday after collecting 14 hits, 11 RBIs, six walks and 10 runs scored in seven games in which the Red Sox went 6-1. Betts had two doubles and three homers while batting .483/.556/.862 during the previous week, including a 4-for-6 performance Sunday when he became the first leadoff hitter in Red Sox history to amass eight RBIs in a game.

Betts also had a pivotal 11th-inning double in Boston's 7-5 win over the Rangers, just missing a homer to left-center as he set up Andrew Benintendi's game-winning, two-run single.

Red Sox manager John Farrell raved about the leadoff man's performance this season.

"The one thing that has always stood out about Mookie's approach to the game is, not only a genuine humbleness, but an aptitude that is from my recollection and the players that I've been around, second-to-none," said Farrell. "He's a smart kid. … He'll ask great questions, but the aptitude to apply it quickly. That's what sets him apart."

Fans can cast ballots for the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com, club sites and their mobile devices until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will then be announced during "MLB Tonight" live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 6 p.m. Extensive coverage throughout the Final Vote will be provided by MLB Network and MLB.com, including interviews with the candidates, frequent updates, heat maps indicating where votes are being cast for each candidate, news on player and club campaigns, and a running countdown clock leading up to the announcement.

Now in its 16th season, with more than 680 million votes cast, the Final Vote again will include social votes on the last day of balloting, as Twitter support for the 10 candidates over the final six hours of balloting will count toward their vote totals. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ET on Thursday, any tweet that includes a designated player hashtag will be tabulated as part of the official vote total used to determine the winners.

On Tuesday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Dave Sessions is a contributor to MLB.com based in Texas and covered the Red Sox on Monday.